Kukui Gardens to Remain Affordable for Residents

HONOLULU (KHNL) -- The sale of the state's largest affordable housing complex closed Tuesday.

Under the terms of the deal, Kukui Gardens will remain affordable.

Many of them seniors, gathered together to celebrate the sale. Just the way they stuck together when faced with being evicted.

"From the very beginning, I never ever thought this was possible that we would win we would prevail I never thought it would happen," said Carol Anzai, Resident's Association President.

"It's huge, it's been a two year effort you know the sale of Kukui Gardes was announced February 2006 and since that day, a number of us have come together, not instantaneous but met each other all with same cause of preserving this property," said Kevin Carney, a Housing Partner.

The financing came together more than $50 million from the state combined with bonds and tax credits.

"The joy they are experiencing is the fact that they get to live in their homes. My joy is that my seniors are not going to have to worry anymore where they are going to go next year or the year after that. "

The seniors, many on fixed incomes could not compete in the current housing crisis.

"So it was critical we preserve this and I think the legislature, the governor's office all recognized this immediatley and began to work out a way to do it and today is a celebration of what has occurred. "

"Today was final, we know we are going to be in our homes tomorrow and for a few more years in fact for a long, long time."

The owners have a lease with the state to keep the property affordable for the next 65 years